Ticket Buying Mode

I'm back to buying tickets to things. I thought the purchasing had ceased with the US Open but apparently there are more things to do and see in New York. The great ticket buying party has included the following events:

So You Think You Can Dance tour - Saturday, Sept. 29th
Jimmy Eat World - Friday, November 9th
Pygmalion - Friday, November 16th

I'm so excited to attend all of these but probably Jimmy Eat World is top priority.

Five Years in the NYC

My five year New York anniversary has come and gone with little fanfare and excitement. I went to work, coordinated the Mormon Night at Shea Stadium a little more and did dishes. A New Yorker's life can't get more exciting.

Right now I'm sitting in my living room wearing lounge pants, Mickey t-shirt and watching Top Chef on Bravo TV. The thing is that my life here in the city isn't vastly different from what it would be if I was living in Long Beach, California or Mesa, Arizona. My current living situation is just a bit more expensive than those other locales.

My choice to move to New York was one of the easiest decisons I have made in my life. It has shaped who I am and given me the chance to realize some of my goals and dreams. Could I get any more cheesy?

Happy Anniversary to me!

A Day Away...

...from my FIVE year anniversary of moving to this amazing city. It is hard to believe that five years have come and gone. Luckily I have many, many, many things to show for it. That's the beauty of New York, the fact that I can literally chart the events, milestones, and character insights I have seen, heard, experienced, or realized because of my interaction with this city's culture, people, events and food. I can promise you that it wouldn't be the same had I elected to stay in Southern California or heaven forbid, Utah.

Tomorrow I will share some of my highlights as a transplant New Yorker. Oh the anticipation!

Subway Mathematics

Today on my 6 train journey to work I found myself wondering just how much money over the five years I've been a New York resident has gone to the good ole boys at the MTA. So when I got to work I opened my trusty Excel spreadsheet to try and figure out the final amount I have spent for less than stellar transportation on the buses and trains. The grand total for a service that isn't tangible or long-term was over $6,000. Now broken down that's about $1,200 a year to go from the 96th Street Station to the 51st Street station at least twice a day during the week. Yikes!

To make myself feel better I decided to figure out how much I would be spending if I purchased my dream car, Volkswagon Passat. Needless to say, with my luxury standard of living, the purchase of a car, gas, insurance and upkeep would far outweigh the amount of money I spend annually on the subway and bus system of NYC.

If only the subway and bus would drop me at my door, allow me to sing along out loud to music, and put my bags in the trunk then I would have the best of both worlds.

Jimmy Eat World New CD

Most of my friends know that I am a big music fan. You will find pretty much all genres of music in my iTunes library - yes even some country thanks to Texan. I get most excited when some of my favorite artists bring new tunes to the musical masses. One of my top five favorite bands is back with a vengence. Not only are they are a great band but also have the same hometown roots of Mesa, Arizona as I do.

Jimmy Eat World is bringing the musical joy back to my life with a new CD entitled Chase This Light (available for pre-order on iTunes now) on Tuesday, October 16th! Everyone get ready for some great, melodic, hard rock 'n roll. Mark your calendars to buy, download, share or borrow the new tunes of the boys of Mesa, Arizona.

A Month Later...

...and not much has happened. Here are the highlights:

• Sabra won So You Think You Can Dance (well deserved)


• Nicole came and went for the last summer in NYC


• I was paid twice


• Philadelphia Phillies swept the New York Mets


• Stupid movies like SuperBad & Halloween ruled the box office


• Miss Julia celebrated her 4th birthday


• Saw the first vermin in my apartment


• BYU football started with the commanding victory over Arizona


• Joani and Moocher moved in with Grandpappy


• Painted a wall in my apartment and redecorated the entertainment unit

The best part of the past month was definitely seeing my good buddy V-Baller get hitched to Mr. Magician in the Los Angeles Temple on August 11th. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful event to fly across the country to attend. Luckily Netter and I had some time to enjoy a convertible drive down the P.C.H., some shopping at Fashion Island, lunch at the Cheesecake Factory and of course a wonderful sojourn with Mickey and Minnie at the D-Land.

I was also lucky enough to spend some time with the fabulous Es! The magnificent B-Unit, Deeds, Squishy & Chomps took me for fantastic Mexican food and we ended our afternoon at the beach with the fantastic, wonderful, scrumptious Pizookie from BJ's.



All in all the last month has been quiet yet busy. Just the way the month of August should be. Now I look forward to the fall with great excitement and joy. Bring on Niagara Falls, SYTYCD tour, Thanksgiving & New York Fun Day with Doc & Netter!



Here are some pictures to capture the August monthly moments: